Blinker signaling device



June 5, J v. HQRR BLINKER SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Aug. 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l II III M mmmu l'iii" III II Ill Ill lllllllllllllllllll[Iiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllllllll .lmllll n... Illlllll 1 l lllllll I Illllllll llllllll llllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllll f I 14 20 .INVENTOR ATTORNE 5 June 5, 1945. I J. v. HORR I 2,377,345

BLINKER SIGNALING DEVICE Fi led Aug. 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1945 BLINKER. SIGNALING newer.

7 John V. Horr, North .Tarrytpwn, N, Y., assignor to Einson-Freeman 00., Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 26, 1943, Serial No. 500,155

GClaims. (01. 35-14) My presentinvention relates generally to signal-ing-devices, and has particular reference to-a device of-the -blinker type.

A general object of my invention is to provide a signaling device of such simplified structure that it may be manufactured almost entirely of simple inexpensive sheet material such as cardboard or the like. A more particular object is to provide a structure and mode of operation which permits the device to assume an unusually small and compact form adapted to be held in and operate'd'by one hand of a user.

The present improved device has been designed primarily for instructional purposes, it being intended that large quantities of the device may be manufactured speedily and at low cost, for distribution to trainees in the armed forces, and others, to enhance the teaching of signaling generally and the art of blinker signaling in particular. -"Becau'se of its small and inexpensive nature-,the device may also find utility a an educational toy. Nevertheless, since it is a complete sign'aling'device by means of which messages.

and signals maybe transmitted from one person to another, and since certain features of the inventionare notnecessarily restricted to a device of reduced size, it will be understood that certain phases of the invention may be considered to relate-to signaling devices generally. v The. present improved structure consists essentially ofa pair of superposed relatively slidable flat-front and back members, the front member having a- 'series of adjacent spaced apertures therein, the back member being provided on its front surface with spaced-light and dark areas which are so arranged that relative endwise movements of said members will bring either the light or the darkarea into matching registry with said apertures. *The apertures preferably assume the form of parallel slits arranged in a group which'conjointly defines a sort of circular spot, and the markings on the back member are correspondingly shaped and arranged. Thus, if the outer surface of the front member is of dark character,.the contemplatedrelative movements of thexmember will result in making this spot alternately dark and light, whereby code messages may-be; transmitted to an observer at a distance in much the same manner as such messages are transmitted by large-size blinker signaling de vices; However, whereas the conventional largesize devices usually employ a beam of light from anartificial source, and require pivoted movementsoflouvres or the like and all the mechafor, the present device is essentially composed of only the .two front'and backmembers referred to.

The relatively sildable front and back members of the present device are associated with a means of resilient yieldable character for urging the members into one condition of registry, whereby signaling may be effected by intermittently forcing or pressing the members into the other condition of registry againstthe action of briefly, by a special design which defines a springy panel having one edge portion articulated to one of the front and back members, and having another edge portion in fixed positional association with the other of said members. This springy panel is so arranged that it normally lies fiat behind the back member and is adapted to buckle resiliently outwardly when said edge portions are depressed toward each other.

I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages,

and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafterappear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig ure 1; I

Figure 5 is a plan view of the blank of which the present device may be composed;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first step in assembling the device;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing a and accessorieswhich such an action calls Subsequent p; k

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure '7 showing a subsequent step; and

Figures 9 and 10 are face views of the device illustrating the changes in its appearance when it is used for signaling purposes.

The front member I consists of a fiat blank of sheet material, such as cardboard, and is provided with a series of spaced adjacent apertures II which I have illustraftively shown in the form of parallel slits conjointl'y defining a sort of circular spot. The front member I 0 is preferably substantially rectangular and I have illustratively' shown it in the form of a square. So that the general nature and capabilities of myinvention may be more fully appreciated; it may be men tioned that a satisfactory and highly efllci'e'nt device may be constructed with this square no more than about two inches long.

Arranged behind the member III and in sliding contact therewith is a back member I2 which'i's In Figure 5 I have shown a single blank of sheet material, such as cardboard or .the like; which is cut and shaped to define the various hinged sections and panels shown.

Hinged'toone edge I5- of a panel I4 is a reinforcement panel I6 which is adapted to be folded I over onto the panel I4, as shown in Figure 6, and permanently secured thereto by adhesive. means.

or otherwise, thus forming a strengthened twopl'y bracing panel. For the sake of clearness, this two-ply bracing panel will hereafter be designated bylthe single referencenumeral I4. -A recess ITV 7 initially cut in the blank across the. hinge line I5 provides this bracing panel I4 with a cut-out a on one edge for a purpose. presently to be;

described. 7

Hinged to an adjacent edge ofthe panel .l 4 as at I 8,; is a section of substantially rectanmilar state which ultimately .defines the front member IO' having the apertures or slits II therein.

place, but if the element 23 is dispensed with, the cut-out I! may also be omitted.

Articulated to the springy panel 22, along the edge 24 opposite the edge 2|, is a substantially rectangular part or section which ultimately defines the rear or back member I2 previously referred to. The markings on the front face of this member are shown most clearly in Figure 8.

In constructing the device; the sections I4 and I6 are first permanently secured together, as hereinbefore mentioned, and as indicated in Figure 6, to define a relatively stiff reinforced bracing panel. The unit shown in Figure 6 is then Along the opposite edge IQ of the panel Ins an N attachment fiap 20 of relatively narrow width.

Along the fourth edge 2 I the bracing. panel I4 is' hingedly connected to arectangular panel'22.

of slightly increased length, this panel being the springy onewhich ultimately provides for theresilient action whichcontributes to the desired operation of the device; To enhance this springy action it may be desirable to lay a resilient reinforcement elementin the form ofa fiat leaf spring 23 longitudinally. along the midportionv ot the panel 22, but the use of this spring is not;abso-'- lutely essential andtheinherent resilience. of the material of whichthe panel 2-2 is made.(such as cardboard or the like) may be sufilcient by itself to achieve the desired result.

ently described, thecut-out II servesto accommodate an end portion of the .reinforcement'element 23 so as to avoid the possibility of .aslight. binding or impeding action which might otherwise-take- When the parts are ,assembled,.- as-.will be presadjusted into the relationship of Figure 7 by swinging the'bracing: panel I4 upwardly along the hinge line 2| so as to bring it into overlying relationship to the springy panel 22. The member I2 is then folded downwardly along the hinge line 24 so that it lies over the panel I4 as shown most clearly in Figure 8. Finally, the attachment fiap 20 is turned down over thefaee of the member I2, and the member III is broulht downwardly to overlie this face, and is secured by 06- hesive means or otherwise to the attachnmt flap- 2-0.

Thisresults in providing a structure in which the-bracing panel I4 and the frontmember II are held together in superposed relationship-to define a fiat pocket between: them within which the member I2 is movableto permit endwiaem ciprccation. More particularly, it-wi-ll beobservod that the member In and the panel I4 are hehitogether along their side edges I8 and lttlmsipruviding an open-end pocket into which-the member I2 extends.

It will also be observed that the spring! panel 22 lies fiat-behind the bracin panel I4. By m of it connection to thepanel I4 along the 06 21 this edge: portion of the panel 22 is secured in fixed positional association. with the front ma.-

ber III, while the opposite edge portion 24 is artwulated orhinged to the back member I2.

The outer surface of the front member IIImag be either dark or light, butitis preferably ofdark character as indicated most clearly in Figure; 9

and i0. Also, the markings on the front surface which they show through the slits II,- and front face of the device then presents an appearance-as shown in Figure 10. 'This adjustment of the parts is accompanied by a resilient outwl-d buckling of the resilient springy panel 22; I shown-most clearly in Figure 3, I Asa result, when the pressure is released,v this panel restores! parts imme diately to the normal condition.

It will thus be observed that 1- have provided-t signaling device of unusually compact andsimple structural nature. Except for the slight ments which are brought about during use ofthe device, there are no moving parts andhenee no mechanism that might getout of order. The sired springyeifectcanbe achieved without Ow use of any metal orrubber springs or other traneous elements, and even wh'ere the reinforoe' ment 23 is deemed desirable, it is of such a char actor that it may be composed of amate'rfalothef' than metal. Furthermore, the-resilient action of the springy panelis simple, e'fllclent'; and reunite,

and serves also as a guide for the reciprocating movements of the member l2, effectively maintaining this member in proper alignment at all times. The fact that the entire device may be composed of a single piece of flat sheet material, and may be held together by simple adhesive means makes the structure easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

In general, it will be understood that the details herein described and illustrated to explain the general nature of the invention may be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a blinker signaling device, a pair of super-- posed relatively slidable fiat front and back members, the front member having a series of adjacent spaced apertures therein, the back member being provided on its front surface with spaced light and dark areas so arranged that relative endwise movements of said members will bring either the light or the dark areas into matching registry with said apertures, a bracing panel connected to the front member and lying behind the back member, and a yieldable resilient means for normally urging said members into one of said conditions of registry, said means comprising a springy panel having spaced edge portions articulated respectively to said back member and said bracing panel, said front and back members and said bracing panel and springy panel beingintegral parts of a single blank of sheet material.

2. In a blinker signaling device, a pair of superposed relatively slidable flat front and back members, the front member having a series of adjacent spaced apertures therein, the back member being provided on its front surface with spaced light and dark areas so arranged that relative endwise movements of said members will bring either the light or the dark areas into matching registry with said apertures, a bracing panel connected to the front member and lying behind the back member, and a yieldable resilient means for normally urging said members into one of said conditions of registry, said means comprising a springy panel having spaced edge portions articu lated respectively to said back member and said bracing panel, said springy panel normally lying fiat behind said bracing panel and being adapted to buckle resiliently outwardly when said edge portions are pressed toward each other.

3. In a blinker signaling device to be held in and operated by one hand of a user, a substantially rectangular fiat bracing panel, a flat front member overlying said panel and hinged to one edge thereof, said front member having a series of adjacent spaced apertures therein, a flat springy substantially rectangular panel hinged to an adjacent edge of said bracing panel and lying behind the latter, and a flat back member hinged to the opposite edge of said springy panel and extending into the space between said front member and said bracing panel, said springy panel being slightly longer than said bracing panel so that manual pressure upon its opposite edge portions will cause outward buckling thereof and will shift the back member endwise relative to the front member, said back member beingprovided on its front surface with spaced light and dark areas so arranged that in one of its positions the dark areas and in another of its positions the light areas will be brought into matching registry with the apertures in said front member.

4. In a blinker device, the combination set forth in claim 3, the resilience of said springy panel being enhanced by a relatively narrow leaf spring extending lengthwise of the springy panel and arranged on its under side.

5. In a blinker device, the combination set forth in claim 3, the resilience of said springy panel being enhanced by a relatively narrow leaf spring extending lengthwise of the springy panel and arranged on its under side, the bracing panel having a cut-out adapted to accommodate One end of said leaf spring.

6. In a blinker signaling device to be held in and operated by one hand of a user, a substantially rectangular flat bracing panel, a fiat front member overlying said panel and having a series of adjacent spaced apertures therein, said bracing panel and front member being secured to each other along the opposite side edges of the bracing panel so as to form an open-end pocket between them, a flat back member slidably mounted in said pocket and provided on its front surface with spaced light and dark areas so arranged that reciprocating endwise movements of the back member will alternately bring the light areas and the dark areas into matching registry with said apertures, and a fiat springy substantially rectangular panel lying behind the bracing panel and hinged at opposite edges to the bracing panel and to said back member respectively, said springy panel being of such a length that pressure on said hinges will cause outward resilient buckling of said springy panel as the back member is moved endwise in one direction relative to said front member.

JOHN V. HORR. 

